Profiles of Women competing in Dakar Rally 2024 T3 category. The highly competitive category – renamed The Challenger – has attracted the highest calibre of female driver’s and co-driver’s to contest the inaugural 46th edition of Dakar starting in Alula on January 5 and finishing in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia on January 19.
With Dakar Rally number 306, Cristina Gutierrez spearheads the charge, competing in her eighth Dakar, with co-driver Pablo Moreno Huete. Having cemented Dakar success in 2019, 2020, and 2023, the duo hold distinct advantage heading into the most challenging race knowing they embrace the unknown and known with experience, knowledge and massive amounts of determination.
Facts speak clearly on the accomplishments of Gutierrez, having gained historical status as the first woman to win a Dakar Stage in 2021 – since Jutta Kleinschmidt in 2005 – followed by 3rd podium in Dakar 2022, along with taking final Stage win in Dakar 2023, to stand 4th overall in T3 category.
With the pair embarking on a new chapter in 2025 – signing with Darcia racing The Dakar Rally in T1+ car – Cristina will enjoy the opportunity to leverage results driving the Red Bull Off Road Junior Team’s Taurus T3 Max vehicle at the pointy end of the table, across 12 Stages.
Sporting #321, X-Raid Yamaha Supported Team driver Annett Quandt and co-driver Annie Seel enter Dakar Rally 2024 with steely determination to complete the iconic race with maximum performance on board the Team’s YXZ 1000 R Turbo Prototype vehicle.
The compatible pair have enough expertise, skills, and experience tackling the known and unknown obstacles racing Dakar with Annett competing in Dakar on track and behind the scenes since 2012, and Annie clocking up significant mileage racing Dakar in Bike category in 2002, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011 before switching to cars, and T3 category with Annett in 2022 and 2023.
The only Saudi Arabian woman competing in T3 category – Dania Akeel – has cemented her presence amongst the best women Rally driver’s in the world finishing The Dakar Rally in 28th in 2023, and 8th in 2022. Notwithstanding the challenges ahead, Dania and co-driver Stephane Duple, share capabilities of completing the total of 7,891 kms with 4,727 kms timed, in a couple of weeks time.
Making the change to driving the Taurus T3 Max vehicle with Wevers Sports Team, Dania has continued desire to extend her comfort zone each time behind the wheel which has included finishing Jeddah Rally 2023 in 3rd position overall, on December 14 – 16.
With strong principles of thought embracing inclusivity and equality in Motorsport, Rosa Romero Font commands co-driver role in Dakar Rally 2024 along-side Expedicion Canarias Dakar Team driver: Pedro Penate.
Hailing from lengthy competition in Dakar – competing in Bike category from 2006 to 2018, actioning co-driver position with Camelia Liporati in 2019 and 2020, and co-driver with Pedro Penate in 2022 and 2023, Rosa provides valuable insight on the many variables on racing The Dakar Rally. All of which will surely be utilized in the 12 Stages, plus Prologue, including the 48H CHRONO Stage, which all lie ahead in 19 days time.
2024 Dakar Rally January 5 – 19 in Saudi Arabia. Header photo: Cristina Gutierrez racing 2023 Rally Raid World Championship Round 3 Image: Team.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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